Man indicted on reckless conduct charge during theft incident

Tyler Emery

FARMINGTON, N.H. - The Lebanon man police say stole a purse from a Farmington woman who was then dragged by his car when she tried to resist has been indicted.

Tyler Emery, 22, of Kennebec Drive, turned himself in at the Farmington Police station a couple of days after the Jan. 3 incident.

He stands formally charged now on one count of felony reckless conduct which could land him in a New Hampshire state prison for up to seven years plus a $4,000 fine.

Police say Emery grabbed the purse of the 24-year-old woman after seeing cash in it and tried to drive off with it in a black SUV.

The victim was dragged for about 40 feet and run over as she attempted to retrieve her purse from the vehicle, police say.

She suffered bruises and scrapes and was transported to Frisbie Memorial Hospital in Rochester where she was treated and released, police said.

Farmington Police Chief John Drury said soon after the incident that Emery had agreed to get the woman some cigarettes, and as she paid him while standing outside his car, he noticed the cash in her purse, grabbed it and took off leading to her injuries.

The indictment handed down last Thursday says Emery "placed (the victim) in danger of serious bodily injury when he drove a vehicle while (she) was near the driver side door, dragging her, and she ultimately fell and was run over by the vehicle, said vehicle a deadly weapon."

An indictment is not an indication of guilt, only that enough evidence has been gathered to warrant a trial.

Emery is listed as being housed at Strafford County Jail pending the results of a bail hearing scheduled for today in Strafford County Superior Court.